Chapter 22: Chapter 22: The Hufflepuff Revolt
A group of senior Hufflepuff students stood at the forefront of a gathering near the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room. They exchanged determined glances, nodding silently to one another.
One of them stepped forward while the others raised their wands, pointing them resolutely toward the common room entrance.
As the door to the Hufflepuff common room creaked open, the senior students, wands raised, surged inside, with the rest of the Hufflepuffs closely following.
Inside the common room, Wentworth, Cedric, and their companions stood frozen in shock, staring as a tide of wand-wielding students flooded through the door.
"So, you mean to say, you were all eating this thing called 'hotpot,' and that's why you forgot to come back?"
A senior Hufflepuff, their face full of disbelief, stared at the group inside.
Wentworth and Cedric could only nod dumbly in response.
Merlin's beard, the moment was surreal—one minute they were enjoying hotpot and singing merrily, the next, countless wands were aimed at their heads.
Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, the Hufflepuff students reluctantly lowered their wands, curiosity quickly taking over as they eyed the steaming cauldron on Wentworth's table.
A female Hufflepuff prefect stepped forward, her face flushed with indignation as she exclaimed:
"This is outrageous! Completely outrageous!"
Seeing her reaction, Kirk immediately stood up and approached, seemingly ready to explain. However, before he could utter a word, the prefect brushed past him, plopped into his seat, and declared:
"You found something this novel and delicious and decided to keep it to yourselves? How could you be so selfish?"
The room fell silent for a beat before erupting into chaos. Wentworth and Cedric were inundated with complaints from every corner of the common room.
Flustered, Wentworth began apologizing profusely until Kirk intervened, stepping forward and calling for order:
"Everyone, listen to me!"
The authority of a prefect still held weight at Hogwarts, and the room gradually quieted.
"My friends," Kirk began, "Wentworth and Cedric have already realized their mistake after my criticism. In fact, Wentworth has promised to ensure that every one of us will get to enjoy a hot, bubbling pot of hotpot! So, let's not be too hard on them."
Wentworth stared in disbelief at Kirk, who was speaking so confidently. Truly, politics and persuasion must be a core skill for any prefect, even in Hufflepuff.
Kirk continued, issuing instructions like a seasoned leader:
"Here's the plan! A few of you, head to the kitchens and ask the house-elves to prepare another ten—no, twenty—servings of the ingredients that were sent to Wentworth earlier.
"First-years, fetch your cauldrons—but only clean, unused ones! As for the rest of you, gather around Wentworth and learn how to prepare the condiments. Tonight, we're having a hotpot party right here in the common room!"
"Woohoo!"
Cheers erupted throughout the room, and the students enthusiastically praised Kirk for his brilliant decision.
Meanwhile, as Wentworth and Cedric prepared for the party, someone was racing toward Professor Dumbledore's office in a state of panic, struggling with the password to gain entry.
"Percy? What are you doing here?"
It was none other than Percy Weasley, standing outside the headmaster's office. Madam Hooch, the flying instructor, had spotted him.
Percy turned, relief flashing across his face as he addressed his professor.
"Madam Hooch, I need to speak with the Headmaster immediately! It's urgent!"
Madam Hooch raised an eyebrow but replied calmly:
"Percy, Professor Dumbledore is hosting a reception tonight in his office to welcome the new Professor Ilona. All the faculty members are present. Unless it's absolutely critical, I suggest you come back later."
Percy, however, shook his head adamantly.
"Madam Hooch, this is an emergency! I must report it to the Headmaster at once!"
Seeing his determination, Madam Hooch sighed and nodded.
"Very well, follow me."
Under Madam Hooch's guidance, Percy finally entered Dumbledore's office. The room was filled with soft music and lively conversation, as the professors gathered around Professor Ilona, exchanging pleasantries and laughter.
Dumbledore himself stood quietly to one side, observing the scene with an enigmatic smile.
"Headmaster! It's terrible! Hufflepuff is in revolt!"
Percy's exclamation shattered the serene atmosphere, drawing every gaze in the room to him.
"What did you just say, Percy?"
Professor McGonagall was the first to approach, her expression a mix of concern and reprimand.
"Percy, you need to learn proper decorum. Being an excellent student doesn't necessarily make one an excellent person," Snape muttered coldly, casting a disdainful glance at Percy.
"Thank you, Severus, but I will handle my student," McGonagall interjected firmly. Turning to Percy, she asked, "Now, Percy, what exactly has happened?"
Under the scrutiny of so many professors, Percy hesitated for a moment before finally blurting out:
"Hufflepuff is in revolt!"
The room collectively frowned at his words.
"Hufflepuff? What about Hufflepuff?"
Professor Sprout, the Head of Hufflepuff House, hurried over, her worry evident.
Percy quickly recounted everything he had witnessed in the Great Hall, sparing no detail.
"I always thought only Gryffindors could pull such stunts. Hufflepuff has truly outdone itself," Snape muttered sarcastically.
"No, Headmaster, they're good children. There must be some underlying reason for all this," Professor Sprout said, her voice pleading.
"Indeed, Professor Sprout," Dumbledore replied with a twinkle in his eye. "Let us go and see what's happening. I, too, am curious to discover what could unite the entire Hufflepuff House so thoroughly."
With that, Dumbledore led the way, followed closely by Professor Sprout and Professor McGonagall.
"I'll come as well—perhaps I can help," Professor Ilona added, joining the procession.
One by one, the professors filed out of the office, even Snape trailing reluctantly behind.
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